A study of the origins of patriarchal attitudes and ideas in Western civilization through an examination of classical literature, laws, artistic expressions, philosophical treatises, and medical works relating to the biological constitution, social status, and life of women in ancient Greece. Also investigated are the factual realities of women’s life, as these can be reconstructed on the basis of the remains of female writings such as those of Sappho.

Introduction to the ancient history of Rome, with emphasis on the Republic from its Etruscan beginnings to the Second Punic War, and on the golden age of Caesar Augustus at the beginning of the Roman Empire.